Redditch RFC

The sound of the Hokey Cokey ringing out over Bromsgrove Road meant that the Redditch Exiles were back in town.

The two teams lined up for a minute’s applause in memory of our late colleague Tim Broadbridge.

Then it was time for action with the home side taking on a composite side being mainly Stourport with help from Bloxwich and Stourbridge.

Redditch started at pace with slick handling seeing captain Aaron Atkinson scoot over in the corner from the opening try.

From the kick off Josh Kearney rolled back the years and bounced off would be tacklers in a 60 metre run before weight of numbers finally brought him down. Quick feed from the ruck saw Aaron race in for his second which was converted.

Moments later the flying gazelle Craig Martin too rolled back the years with a punishing run before feeding Joe Looker who scored wide out.

And the carnage continued when Joe Morgan scored a fantastic individual try underneath the post to take the score to 24-0.

Then two things happened – the old and young Redditch boys tired in the hot sun, and Aaron made a few changes to even up the sides. Defence then became the name of the game as neither side troubled the scorer until half time.

Roared on by the crowd Rory Allen raced through to tap the bouncing ball into the waiting  hands of Aaron who had changed sides thus avoiding a jug as he scored for Stourport, who by now were starting to believe.

A string of penalties brought the visitors within range and they duly scored adjacent to the posts. The second conversion took the score to 24-14. Then one of the big visiting forwards found a gap close to the touchline and raced through untouched to take the score to 24-19 and give the visitors hope. Redditch attacked strongly but could not break the Stourport defence led ably by Redditch man Rory Allen.

A turnover ball gave Stourport an unexpected bonus and they raced out wide to level the scores.

Craig Martin had by now changed sides and fresh from the sidelines he barged over for the winning try for the visitors – an action which won him the DOD award.

Man of the match for both sides went to Rory Allen, something he was to regret later in the day.

Rugby was the winner in a highly entertaining match greatly appreciated by the noisy crowd.

Next week sees a return to League Action as we travel to Evesham for the final League fixture of the season.